THE SURRENDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1917, 19 December 1918, Page 1

THE SURRENDER.

GERMAN FLEET’S BLACK DAY,

WORSE THAN JUTLAND

The special correspondent of the Times, describing the surrender of the German fleet, says: — “Never has a pageant so majestically demonstrated the might of the British Navy.

“Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand had their places in the-spectacle. “For the last few days the Grand Fleet has breathed -a quickened and electrified air in anticipation of the surrender. Aboard the Queen Elizabeth this has grown hourly as

messages have Hashed hundreds of miles to and from the German High

Sea Command. “Early on Wednesday two orders from Admiral Beatty were posted in the wardrooms. They forbade fraternisation or international compliments, and said that any meals supplied ' the Germans must be served apart. “ ‘ln dealing with our late enemy.' they said, ‘while courtesy is obligatory, the methods by which (hey waged war must not be forgotten,’

“These orders were thoroughly in keeping with the attitude of the officers and men, none of whom had the slightest compassion for the enemy. The Germans are still ‘the Huns.’ British officers have not forgotten how German officers rescued in the Heligoland battle in 1914 spat in the faces of their re-

scuers. “All night long the Queen Elizabeth was in. touch -by wireless with the German tied, noting its progress towards the rendezvous. “When the Germans were 7i) miles distant the British Fleet slipped silently to sea, ship following ship in an ominous and awe-inspir-ing proeession, black shapes, indistinctly silhouetted against the blacksky, “At 8.30 the destroyers sighted the German fleet. An hour later they emerged from the murk. Coming abreast of the Germans, the mighty British vessels turned by .squadrons wheeling on their own tracks, and retaining their positions on both sides of the Germans to escort them, back to the anchorage. “In the ordered array, (lotilia after flotilla moved across the sen, the Germans completely encased by the British, covering such a vast area that tlie head and tail of the columns was invisible in the haze. The eye could not count thorn. After the Germans anchored in the appointed anchorage off May Island, the main body of the Grand Elect steamed back to the morning’s anchorage.” At 4 a bugle rang out, marking “sunset.” The German flag was hauled down in accordance with Admiral Beatty’s signal, and the Queen Elizabeth’s crew piped aft and saluted the flag, with spontaneous cheers for Admiral Beatly, who said, “Thank you! I have always told you that (hey would have to come oul.” The captured ships will go to the Seapallow, strongly escorted, and there will remain until the peace treaty decides -their fate. Mr Wilson, correspondent of the Daily Mail; writes; — “All night long the officers and men of the Grand Fleet speculated whether the German Fleet would try a last stroke and perish in smoke rather than submit to ignoble sur-, render. Every precaution was taken against surprise. We wore ready for any treachery. “As we weighed anchor at 3 a.in., the battle squadron’was leading (lie line out to sea. The night was line and mElless. “Through the black, still water British and American warships steamed at 12 knots to the rendezvous, and there dawned the most wonderful day in naval history. “The Germans were late. At about'B o’clock they were signalled 40 miles off. “We turned and steamed west, retracing our course to kill time. “At 8.30 wo went to ‘action stations.’ All the guns were manned ready. Not a soul was visible, hut in the turrets at. their battle stations men laid in waiting, awake, with their whole machinery of destruction and death. “Overhead passed in quick succession British airships and aeroplanes flying low to'meet the Gormans. “They sighted the enemy fleet at 0.30 o’clock. All glasses were turned on the Germans. “Was it peace or war? We faced one of the tremendous moments of history, like when Caesar faced the Rubicon, and changed the destinies of the world. It was peace. “Slowly speeding—perhaps 10 or 11 knots—the Germans came on down the great line of warships which were waiting to escort them, i They were led by the British cruiser

Cardiff, and behind came the Seydlitz and otjicr battle-cruisers in admirable order.

“Keeping perfect time, and flying the German flag for the last time, silently and dejectedly they came on, Avithout salutes and without dipping of flags.

“Behind the battle cruisers came the battleships —nine magnificent vessels, with the Friedrich der Grosse carrying the rear-admiral’s flag. “The procession was funeral in solemnity.

“Next came a Beatty signal as we neared the anchorage, stating: The Grand Fleet met at 9.30 o’clock this morning five battle-cruis-ers, nine battleships, seven light,

cruisers, and 49 destroyers of the High Bea Fleet, which surrendered

for internment, and are. being brought to the Firth of Forth.

“Admiral Beatty again signalled at 11.4 o’clock: The German flag will be hauled down at sunset, today, and will not be hoisted again without permission.

“The fleet’s return to the Firth of

Forth v.'iih ils prizes was the most splendid spectacle the mind can imagine. Miles 'of lines of British ships crossed the sea, moving with exquisite precision, (he paint and bmsswork sparkling in the sun, the glorious White Ensign Hying, signalmen hsuv, and with rainbow hoisls of signal (lags. “The shepherded German vessels looked shabby by comparison. Officers and men who lined the decks watched us with a mark of depression. “The ships of the first battle squadron cheered Admiral Beatty, who stood on the immense Queen Elizabeth waving his hand. “At sunset the Admiral finally signalled: Ti is my intention lo hold a service of thanksgiving at 6 o’clock for the Victory Almighty God has vouchsafed his Majesty’s arms. Every ship is recommended to do the same.’ " In a leading article, under the heading of “The Day,” the Times says: “Wednesday witnessed a scone such as the world has not before seen. For the first time in history a groat fleet put to sea and surrendered at the bidding of a victorious enemy. “It was the measure of Germany’s subjugation and Hie measure of Brilain’s triumph on (he seas, and was not imposed from vain ostentation or a desire to humiliate. Our cause is too great, and our selfres pee I too strong for that. The surrender reduces Germany to a fifth-rate naval Power. Had her sailors fought with clean hands we would have pitied an enemy undergoing a degradation so overwhelming, but the navy which manned the U-boats and waged war on women and hospital ships have cut themselves off from sympathy. They were made to feel that they stand outside the chivalry of the sea. There were special rejoicings at tho presence of the Dominions’ warboats at yesterday’s great triumph,” The leader echoes (he KingQ words that it was the British Fleet which enable*] us to win the war, and it was therefore meet that the Fleet should provide the most spectacular proof of our triumph.

While the eyes of the world were rivet ted upon the armies, it was the beet’s trying lot to do their grim work' in the shadow.

They carried out tho teats more exacting than had ever before befallen to the lot of any navy, and which were only accomplished by (he ceaseless vigilance, supremo seamanship, and sustained courage of our sailors.

All ranks had shown (hat the blood of Nelson’s heroes runs warm in their veins. Seldom has human greatness suffered n more terrible fall than the. former Kaiser’s naval ambitions.